Allen: Text message informed me of Stoke move

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Cape Town - Despite his understandable disappointment at how his transfer to Stoke was communicated to him, Joe Allen says he is happy with the move to Mark Hughes' side.

The Wales midfielder says that he heard of Liverpool agreeing terms for his his move to the Potters via a text message he received from a friend while on holiday in Ibiza.

"I actually had a text message off a friend congratulating me about making the move when I didn't even know it was happening at the time," the central midfielder told the Telegraph.

"Not knowing whether the club intend to sell you or keep you, especially when you're trying to ask the question, is disappointing.

"The communication wasn't great but as soon as Liverpool accepted an offer I knew what their intentions were for me. It's irrelevant now because I've got the move that I wanted.

"Being a regular wasn't going to happen and that's fair enough. If you look at the quality Liverpool have got in midfield, and maybe the age of the players, I think I'd have been waiting for injuries and suspensions.

"I'm not going to be happy unless I'm on the pitch on a regular basis. I'm 26 now and the next four or five years are going to be my best. I'm really excited about this move because the ambition is there to get better.

"In the three seasons Mark Hughes has had you've seen the progress Stoke have made, the players he's brought in and the style he's imposed," he concluded.

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